 This is my first bead weaving bracelet! It took 3 hours (it will take less time next time as now I know what I'm doing - I hope) but it has already received lots of compliments! As is my usual colour choice... black and silver This is a GREAT beginner bracelet as it is single needle and the pattern is quite easy -- put on a center bead, then 5 seed beads, one crystal, 5 more seeds beads and loop back into the center bead for the right side then do the 5-1-5 again for the left side! After the initial center bead, you then loop back into two of the center beads to continue which creates an overlap of the side arrangement Supplies: 10mm center beads (can be 4, 6 too in any shape) 2mm crystals (I used bicones for this project) 11.0 seed beads (silver in the photo) One beading needle .06 Firewire Toggle bar and loop Approx. $10 in cost All items were available at the local big box craft supply store OR the local beading store OR available online I used a youtube video to go through the process step by step (pausing it on my laptop as required). There are several well put together and informative tutorial videos available (search on youtube: Single Spiral Bracelet Tutorial). When you are ready, they also have a double version of this bracelet - twice as nice as the single style! Note: the beads in this project were not real stones, the crystals were the "knock off'' versions and the toggle and clasp are silver plated. I imagine you could spend a lot more $ in making one of these bracelets using real crystals and stones - the results are quite stunning! ******************************************************************************************************** Tips and Tricks Ensure that there is not a lot of play when you are assembling the bracelet, i.e. keep the threat tension tight - especially when it comes to affixing the clasp - as these gaps can show on the finished product Check often that there are no gaps in between the beads before moving on to the next section If you make a mistake, pull out and remove the last few beads you put on to "undo" - to the point of the mistake and then start that section over If you run out of fireline, watch a tutorial from youtube on how to join more thread into the work (I ran out because I could not find an actual supplies list or indication of how much fireline to use) but it is easy to attach another length of the fireline I started with a "wingspan" as they call it - holding the fireline between both your hands while stretching them out from left to right of your body - I was comfortable only working with one wingspan though as two would have been difficult to handle Check the size often - I cut a strip of paper the size of my wrist and placed it at the top of my mat while assembling so I could check often (include space for the toggle and bar clasp) Also, chasing those seed beads around can be frustrating - buy the bead mat at the bead or craft store (so they can't run away as easily) or use a piece of fabric. I kept my needle as laid flat as possible so it is on the angle that the needle can easily slide into the tiny tiny hole and used my fingernail tip to "hold" the bead still - picking these tiny beads up on your needle will be the bulk of the actual assembly of the bracelet and I was frustrated at first but it was worth it - listen to some nice music to avoid frustration! Additionally, I have various colour photos on my pinterest page of other colour variations of this same bracelet search pinterest: YesIMadeItMysel (the full name on my website as translated on to my pinterest page was too long to have included the last "f"' so search accordingly) Enjoy making this project!
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 Silver and Black Oval Necklace
I thought I would try something a little different... so I bought 10 oval "rings" for added interest. With the necklace above, I put a bead inside the ring (these oval rings had holes on each side so I could put the silver wire into the side of the ring, then right into the flat bead and through the other hole of the oval ring so the middle bead stays in the middle of the oval ring). I then wire wrapped the segments together - alternating segments with a plain bead and two small silver beads - alternating with the "oval" shaped ring with the flat bead inside and a silver bead on each side of it segment. Connected them together, got to the length I wanted and put a clasp and ring on each side TIP: I always use a clasp - even if I can put it over my head without it so I can use it as a bracelet (check the length of the necklace to your wrist before finishing) or to wrap around a pair of my boots or around my ankle... or whatever. I have also used clasps to wrap a beaded necklace around the straps of my top (instead of around my neck) so the necklace drapes down in the front between the two straps of my top to create a unique look Below is the finished product!  Silver and Black Oval and round bead necklace  Above is a necklace using o rings and oval and round beads with two small silver beads on each side of the round bead. Wire wrapped between the segments. Approximately 30 inches long.  This arrangement of beads is different and I like that unique quality!   This looks like a pretty combination for a bracelet This necklace is a little longer and uses flat oval beds and silver ""o rings between the segments and a silver bead on each side of the plain round bead. On my white top... the contrast looks so nice. I like to wear this necklace! At work, I attach my security pass to it so it can work as a pretty sparkly lanyard as well which receives compliments Using the silver rings between the bead segments captures the eye and you can make a longer necklace using less beads! A Girlfriend gave me an elastic bead bracelet and I felt that the elastic is not as durable as a wire wrap bracelet so I plan on using the whiter beads as a bracelet and perhaps use the smaller beads with pins as the charms TIP: I ALWAYS set out my beads before hand - not just to see how the beads looks together but also to make sure I have enough beads before I start I use a paper cup (cut in half) and put my grouped beads into the bottom of the cup, then I can stack the cups into my plastic shoebox. I try not to buy more beads than can be contained one shoebox and it is convenient to have everything in one place available when I go to my friends house on Mondays to teach the beading technique to them - for our beading parties! I think this will be a necklace - I have set all my beads out first so I can see that I have enough of them and also that they all work well together . Perhaps I'll use some silver O rings to add some colour and interest!   Above is my plastic shoebox containing all my beads, wire, tools and smaller storage containers
Have lid - will travel!!! I also have a piece of fabric that I place on top of the lid when I am "bead weaving" to prevent the beads from rolling around I can turn the shoebox lid upside down and use it as a "mat" during construction and it is ideal because it has a "track" around the outside that acts as a "wall" or barrier to keep the beads from rolling away!! I use small plastic containers to store groups of beads and use the lids to keep the beads I am working on together and to prevent the beads from rolling away during construction of the item Be creative & Happy Beading! |
